Rail-joint.



F. J. EVANS.

RAIL JOINT. APPLICATION FILED JULY 22.1915.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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F. 1. EVANS.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22.1915.

Patented Nov.- 23, 1915.

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FRANK J'. EVANS, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

' RAIL-JOINT.

Application filed July 22, 1915.

the same from sagging when a train passes thereover.

Another object of this invention is the production of a rail joint which is constructed so as to provide a plurality of side plates which are secured to a base plate, these plates being so constructed as to efiiciently engage each other for fitting upon the abutting ends of a rail for reinforcing and connecting the ends of the rails and at the same time reinforcing each other.

Another object of this invention is the production of a rail joint wherein the base plate is provided with simple and efficient means for centering the side plates, whereby the device may be easily assembled for connecting the'two ends of two rails when so desired.

l/Vith these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1' 1s a side elevation of the rail joint as con-' tion of the arrows,-the rails being removed.

Fig. 6-is a longitudinal section through the assembled device, illustrating the manner in which the same is mounted upon the rails,

portions of the rails being shown in eleva-.

tion. Fig.7 is, a detailed perspective view of one of the side plates. Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the connecting bar.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals it will be seen that the base Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

Serial No. 41,363.

plate 1 is constructed so as to form'an elon gated'body which is provided with a plurality of apertures 2, through which the spikes 3 are adapted to pass. The ends of the rails 4 are adapted to be positioned upon this plate 1 so as to allow the heads of the spikes 3 to pass through the apertures 2 and engage the lower portions of the rails 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. It is, of course, obvious that the base plate 1 is of sufiicient length to rest upon a plurality of the ties 5, and, therefore, this base plate 1 will'assist in preventing the ends of the rails 1 from sagging when a train passes over the rails. The centering ribs 6 are formed integral upon the upper surface of the base plate 1,

and in parallel spaced relation to each other,

as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The end portions of the rails are adapted to be positioned between these ribs 6'so that the rails will be positively held in alinement with each other without imparting any strain whatever to the other securing means used in connection with this invention. It will be noted that the apertures are formed in direct alinement with the inner portions of the ribs 6, as shown in Fig. 5, so that the side edges of the lower portions or base of the rail will fit snugly against the inner portions of the ribs 6 and extend adjacent the apertures 2. The side plates 7 are elongated and of sufficient width to fit snugly between the upper portion of the base of the rail and the lower surface of the tread of the rail so that the plates may fit snugly against the web of the rail, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These side plates 7 are provided with horizontal openings 8, which are formed so as to register with the openings 9 formed in the rails l, whereby the boltslO, having the nuts 11, may pass through the openings 8 and 9, at which time the nuts 11 may be placed thereon so as to positively hold the plates 7 in engagement with the rails, as above set forth. A web 12 extends from the lower outer surface of the plate 7 adjacent its central portion, as shown'clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, and upon this web 12 there are formedthe depending portions 13 upon which the inwardly extending flanges 14: are

flanges 14 are provided with the thickened bodies 15 at their central portions in which there are formed the squared pockets 16,

which communicate with the openings 17' extending" through thedepending" portions 13 of the flanges 12. It will be notedby're ferring to Fig. 5 that theside edges:eitheplate 1 are provided With the notched portions 18, Within which the depending por tions 13 of the flanges 12 are adapted to" fit sothat the side platesavill be positively" retained from creeping independentof-se-I curing means.

In order-to-secure the lower portions :of-

the 7 side plates in engagement: with the I baseplate there is provided bar which; com prises an elongated squa red body 19,-having the-threaded necks-20 formed integral upon the endportions -thereof. The b dy; 19 of; this bar is adapted, tO' fit upon the ;loWer por tion of the ibas ejplate as clearlyjshown in a Fig e, at which time the en'dsof thebar lS);

Willfrestwvithin the-squared pockets 16' of the bodies 15;. This will all ow the threaded necks-2O 0f the 1 body,19 to extendthrough the openings 17 formed :in the depending portions-13 so as to project fora spaced dis; tance itherebeyond, thereby proyidingJsuifi cient space upon-Which the retaining, nuts 21- are threaded; for positively holding the loWer portions vof the side plates infengagementfWith the base plate 1.= By having the;

body portion 19 of the' bar squared it will be seen that the bar may fit snugly ,uponthe lower portion of the base plate 1 'Without; having any ..tendency to rotate, While the lit ting;of the squaredends of the -body-l9 within the squared 'pocketslti, will al s o assist in retaining. the bar: against-- rotation, and,-; therefore, after tlienuts have been threadedupon themecks-QO of the bar, any, ten dency,

of "the bar to accidentally, rotate, which When this device is'in operation the plate 1 is" positioned upon ajplurality of-ties 5, as

shoWn in: Fig. 6. The ends of'the rails 1 may-then'be placed'upon theplate 1, so as torest between the ribs 6,: as shotvnin Figs. 3 and 4. These ribs Will'holdtheends-of the rails' in alinementwwith each other therebyv facilitating the placing f the side plates upon the rails When the side plates are position'ed upon the rails the dependingportions13willfit'withinthenotches 18 formed in the-side edges of the plate 1, at Which time the bar 19 maybe placed beneath the" ,pla'tfl for passing;ithe necks 20 thereof through the openings, 17 The nuts'21' may then bethreaded uponthe necks for holding the side v plates againstdisplacement, hile the' bolts lO'and'fnuts 11 are adjusted,

Therefore, since the ribs 6 will. fit upon the side" portions of the abutting;,ends :of the r rails,"tl ie'"ten"de1'1' '3y of lateral'movement on th'e'part'of the abutting ends of the rails is eliminated-.

It will further be seen that when the plates 7'havebeen placed in engagement with the sid'e'portions of the abutting ends of the rails tlieywvillal'so assist the plate 1 in" h g the ends ofthea'ailsin horizontal alinement,

. as the train is passing thereover, so as to prevent the abutting endsof the rails from sagging, assis the case'with the ordinary. fish plates "now inuseavh'en the'traimpnsses over the. abutt1-ng:;ends of therailse Front the foregoingedescription-it will be" seen- I that a very; durable and efiicicnt rail joint has been provided Which'isadapted tofit -upon theabutting: ends of two rails, and 1 prevent the same from-sagging vh'en' llT'OPr' eratiomqv-hfl'e the relntorc'inggelements hereinbefore set forth, formed of'the ribs and the bar will positively holdthe-side plates in' engagement with the baseplate thereby'prc ventingthe same from beeominggloose when in use, and-at the same time; minimize the strain upon the securing elements of the l liZ-J What is-claimed is z I l. ln-a rail joint ofthe class-described thecombination of abaseplate having notched side edges; side plates fittingrupon said base plate, said base pltftdbeing; adapted to sup* port the abuttingaends of two rail'sso as to allow the side plates to fit uponthe 'side-por-' tion of the abuttingends'of the-railsmoans for retaining-said; side plates --in engagement withlthe rails, said side plates provided-with Webs-extending from their lower side edges,

depending; portions; formed upon the outer portion of' saidqvebs-and terminating-in iii-- War-dly extendmgs flanges I fitting; upon; the lower portions of said base plate, said flalige's provided-;Wit-h central;bodies,--saidbodies providedwvith squared pockets, said bodies i also provided-With openings; registering-withsaid-pockets, a squarebar fittings uponthe lower portions of said base plate, the-ends of' said bar fitting within said squared pockets I Wherebyjsaid'bar w ill be held; from rotating when in use, threaded necks formed up on the end;por-tions of said bar and-extending-from said openings,-nutsthreaded upon the outer 3 ends of said threaded necks,-; whereby said i depending portions of said ;webs of said plates Will be held Within-the notched portions of said baseplate whereby said plates; Will a be positively fhe'l'din an asse1nbled posi-- tion for constitutingrasupport-for theeabut ting;ends-of two rails.

2.111 a rail joint of the cla ss-desoribed',-

the combination of a-base plate sideplates fittingnponsaid-base plate, said baseplate being adapted to 7 support the abutting .-ends of tWo rails so= asj to allow theside-plates to fit upon the side portion of theabutting' ends of the rails, means for-retainingesaid side plates in engagement with the rails, said side plates provided with webs extending from" their lower side edges, depending portions formed upon the outer portions of said webs and terminating in inwardly extending flanges fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, said flanges pro vided with central bodies having squared pockets, said bodies also provided with openings registering with said pockets, a square bar fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, the ends of said bar fitting within said squared pockets whereby said bar will be held from accidental rotation, threaded necks formed upon the end portions of said bar and extending from said openings, nuts carried by said necks, whereby said side plates will be held upon said base plate and will be prevented from creeping.

3. In a rail joint of the class described, the combination of a base plate, side plates fitting upon said base plate, said base plate being adapted to support the abutting ends of two rails so as to allow the side plates to fit upon the side portion of the abutting ends of the rails, means for retaining said side plates in engagement with the rails, said side plates provided with webs extending from their lower side edges, depending portions formed upon the outer portions of said webs and terminating in inwardly extending flanges fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, said flanges provided with central bodies having squared pockets, said bodies also provided with openings registering with said pockets, a square bar fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, the ends of said bar fitting within said squared pockets whereby said bar will be held from accidental rotation, necks formed upon the ends of said bar and extending from said openings, and means removably mounted upon said necks for holding said side plates upon said base plate.

4. In a rail joint of the class described, the

tions formed upon the outer portions of said webs and terminating in inwardly extending flanges fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, said flanges provided with central bodies having openings formed therein, a bar fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate and extending from said openings, and means carried by the extending ends of said bar for holding said side plates upon said base plate.

5. In a rail joint of the class described, the combination of a base plate, side plates fitting upon said base plate, said base plate being adapted to support the abutting ends of two rails so as to allow the side plates to fit upon the side portion of the abutting ends Of the rails, means for retaining said side plates in engagement with the rails, said side plates provided with webs extending from their lower side edges, depending portions formed upon the outer portions of said webs and terminating in inwardly extending flanges fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate, said flanges provided with central bodies, having openings formed therein, a bar fitting upon the lower portions of said base plate and provided with threaded necks extending from said openings, nuts carried by said necks for holding said side plates upon said base plate, and means engaging said bar for holding the same against accidental rotation whereby accidental displacement of said nut is prevented.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

FRANK J. EVANS.

Copies of this Patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

